Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2005

Department of Social and Family Affairs

Social Welfare Code

5:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps he will take to ensure that the time spent by applicants on supplementary welfare allowance count as part of the qualifying period and satisfy the eligibility criteria for applicants for schemes such as back to education allowance and others; the further steps he will take to amend the qualifying conditions to permit the foregoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30937/05]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the changes he will make as a result of the expenditure review of the back to education allowance which commenced in September 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30877/05]

Photo of Séamus BrennanSéamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 85 together.

The back to education allowance is a second chance education opportunities scheme designed to encourage and facilitate people on certain social welfare payments to improve their skills and qualifications and, therefore, their prospects of returning to the active work force. There are two options available under this scheme, namely, the second level option and the third level option. Under these options a person may pursue a full-time second or third level course of study at a recognised second or third level institution.

The primary aim of the back to education allowance scheme is to assist people who are unable to access the labour market because of a lack education and who are caught up in a cycle of unemployment and disadvantage. Since its inception many people who left school early have been given a second chance for education and this has improved their prospects of getting employment.

At present, to qualify for participation in the back to education allowance scheme an applicant pursuing an approved course of study must be at least 21 years of age and in receipt of a relevant social payment for six months in the case of the second level option and 12 months in the case of the third level option or nine months if participating in the national employment action plan, NEAP, process.

The scheme has recently been the subject of a programme expenditure review. The expenditure review working group examined among other issues, the qualifying criteria for the scheme, targeting strategy and the future focus and administration of the scheme. The working group completed the review in September of this year.

The working group recommended, among other things that the scheme should be extended to include all those of working age in receipt of a welfare payment. In that context, there are currently a number of people who are in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance for a minimum period of 12 months and who represent a long-term welfare group whose eligibility for the scheme will be considered through the expenditure review implementation process which is due to commence shortly. Other recommendations made by the group will also be considered as part of that process.

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